Rescue vehicles for Ukrainian soldiers #3

As in June 2023 and February 2024, in this most difficult phase of the war we would like to specifically support first rescue units whose sole aim is to save lives.

This is the third year of the war. The situation is particularly difficult due to the lack of and delays in aid from the West. The people in Ukraine are once again having to adjust to living without light, heat and water. Russia is increasingly attacking civilian targets with missiles and leaving destruction in its wake. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defenders are bravely holding out in trenches, hoping, fighting, defending and attacking. Die. Are wounded.

Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. Every life counts.

The immediate period after being wounded is particularly critical. A quick evacuation from the so-called zero line (place of immediate combat operations) increases the chances of survival immensely.

As always, the cars will also be loaded with relief supplies and we will decide at short notice what is available and more urgently needed. The last few times we have brought over generators, power banks, medical supplies, medicines, children's clothing and other items.

Who gets the cars?

• One of the cars will go to the first rescuer of the 48th independent "Noman Chelebidzhikhan" assault battalion near Donetsk.
• The other goes to the first rescuer of the 137th Independent Marine Battalion near Kherson.

How do the cars get to Ukraine?

Like the last time, we will buy the cars in Germany and hand them over personally in Ukraine. The first car will be driven by Konstantin and Ralf. The second car will be driven by Alex and Petra.

Which model should it be?

This is not about a classic ambulance. These are often too heavy to drive to the front lines. Smaller vans or off-road vehicles are best suited for such first rescues.

So far, we have brought over several VW T5s. Last time it was a T5 and a Mercedes ML 270, but as MLs are much cheaper (potentially less than half the price of a T5) and the Ukrainian side has definitely confirmed that two MLs are better than one T5, we are planning to bring two MLs this time.

How can I be sure that my money will be used for its intended purpose?

We will document every step: Donation proceeds, purchases (with invoices), transportation, outreach, etc.

We have now founded an association for our exclusively charitable activities: "Ukraine Helpers". We are recognized by the tax office as a non-profit association and can also issue donation receipts. We have also been helping since the first days of the war (with and without crowdfunding) and document our projects on https://twitter.com/weareukraine24 and https://t.me/weareukraine24.

What else can I do to help?

Please share this appeal for donations with your friends, acquaintances and colleagues in messengers and social networks.

We want to help the Ukrainian people, with concrete action! We want to save as many lives as possible.

The calculation is simple: the more first response vehicles there are, the more lives are saved. This is because rescue vehicles also come under fire and are destroyed.

Your support helps to protect human destinies and basic rights such as life and health. We want to support the defenders of Ukraine and the values of the Western world.

Perhaps some of you have already donated to Ukraine. Maybe even several times. We and especially the Ukrainians thank you for that!

One reason for all previous and this crowdfunding is always to offer people the opportunity to participate directly in a concrete project with concrete people with their donation. You will see from start to finish what happens with your money and how the donated vehicle is used later.

Everyone can help directly. With all the suffering that this war brings, this thought instills us with confidence and energy

We will finance and carry out the following ourselves:

• The purchase of the vehicles
• Minor expenses for interim registration: short-term license plates, export registration
• Fuel to the delivery location in Ukraine
• Travel back to Germany
• If there is anything left over, we will use it to buy more of the goods we need. Especially generators for hospitals. We also receive constantly updated overviews of what is urgently needed on the ground, e.g. technical equipment, medicines and humanitarian aid.

Lists of the complete expenditure of the last projects can be found here: February 2024, July 2023, March 2023, December 2022, June 2022.

By the way: Your pledged money will only be collected if the project reaches the target amount.

We have already bought one of the vehicles (see photos, it's an ML 270). We have already pre-financed this ourselves, partly from the remaining amount from the last crowdfunding and new donations to the association. We still need money for repairs and transportation costs.

Donation receipts

• We can only issue a donation receipt for 95% of the amount donated. 5% goes to Startnext (and does not end up with us).
• Attention: When donating, you can specify an additional amount (can also be 0€) that you would like to donate to Startnext in addition to the 5% that we definitely have to give. Of course, we cannot issue a donation receipt for this amount.
• We will send the donation receipts to the e-mail addresses you have provided after Startnext has successfully paid out your donation. According to Startnext, a payout can take up to three weeks after completion.